Myocardial recovery during post-ischemic reperfusion: optimal concentrations of Na+ and Ca2+ in the reperfusate and protective effects of amiloride added to cardioplegic solution

Mechanisms of protection of the ischemic and reperfused myocardium by sodium-hydrogen exchange inhibition

Sodium-hydrogen exchange (Na-H exchange) is a major regulator of intracellular pH and is one of the major mechanisms for restoring pH after ischemia-induced intracellular acidosis. However, activation of Na-H exchange during ischemia and reperfusion is also involved in paradoxical induction of cell injury. This likely reflects the fact that activation of the exchanger is closely coupled to sodium influx and, as a consequence, to elevation in intracellular calcium concentrations through sodium-calcium exchange. In addition to intracellular acidosis, other factors can also stimulate the exchanger, including various autocrine and paracrine factors, such as endothelin-1, angiotensin II, alpha(1)-adrenergic agonists, as well as toxic agents, such as hydrogen peroxide and lysophosphatidylcholine. Although at least six Na-H exchange isoforms have thus far been identified, it appears that the 1 subtype, termed NHE1, is the predominant isoform in the mammalian myocardium. Effective pharmacological inhibitors of Na-H exchange, including those that are NHE1 specific, have been extensively demonstrated to protect the ischemic and reperfused myocardium in terms of improved systolic and diastolic function, preservation of cellular ultrastructure, attenuation of the incidence of arrhythmias, and reduction of apoptosis. Moreover, the salutary effects of these agents have been demonstrated using a variety of experimental models as well as animal species, suggesting that the role of Na-H exchange in mediating injury is not species specific. Thus, Na-H exchange represents an important target for pharmacological intervention in attenuation of ischemia and reperfusion-induced cardiac injury. Coupled with the low potential for toxicity of the agents, Na-H exchange inhibition could emerge as an effective therapeutic strategy in cardiac disorders, particularly involving conditions associated with ischemia and reperfusion.

The role of the myocardial sodium-hydrogen exchanger in mediating ischemic and reperfusion injury. From amiloride to cariporide

There is convincing evidence that the Na-H exchanger (NHE) plays a pivotal role in mediating tissue injury during ischemia and reperfusion. Extensive studies with NHE inhibitors have consistently shown protective effects against ischemic and reperfusion injury in a large variety of experimental models and animal species, particularly in terms of attenuating contractile dysfunction. These protective effects of NHE inhibition appear to be superior to other strategies, including ischemic preconditioning. Such studies have contributed greatly to the overwhelming evidence that NHE activation mediates ischemic and reperfusion injury. The NHE inhibitor HOE 642 (cariporide) is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in high-risk cardiac patients. Moreover, there is now emerging evidence that NHE may be involved in mediating cardiotoxicity directly produced by various ischemic metabolites such as lipid amphiphiles or reactive oxygen species. NHE inhibition also attenuates apoptosis in the ischemic myocardium, a process that may be of importance in the subsequent development of postinfarction heart failure. In conclusion, NHE represents an important adaptive process in response to intracellular acidosis that results in a paradoxical contribution to cardiac tissue injury.